Hi, everyone. I’m Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief at The Princeton Review,
and we’re bringing you another installment of our Careers series. The topic today
is...what you can do with your social science degree! So, if you’re considering
a major like Psychology, Economics, Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology,
Geography, or International Relations—to name a few—then this video is for you.
Before I get into the fields you’ll have open to you—there are quite a few!—let’s
start with some simple definitions: what, exactly, does “social science”
encompass? As you probably already know, social science is a wide-ranging
umbrella term that encompasses a number of fields. The common theme is that each discipline aims to
explore the connection between the human world and society, whether through an investigation
of the economy, human behavior, culture, social institutions, or politics.
And the skills you’ll cultivate as a social science major are even
more wide-ranging than the fields themselves. What are those skills, you ask?
First, you’ll develop exceptional oral and written communication skills. Social
science students are often tasked with analyzing text, data, and research—and then
to persuasively communicate their perspective and interpretations. Whether you go into social work,
law, or any other career, strong communication skills will benefit you!
Next, you’ll develop strong research skills. Social science majors learn both qualitative
and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to identify reliable data and
evaluate a research question using a variety of sources. Many majors may even conduct independent
research as part of a senior thesis or capstone project. These research skills are essential
if you’re considering a career in fields like economics, politics, or public policy.
Training in the social sciences will also sharpen
your decision-making skills. Students learn to define problems, collect data, and evaluate
information to reach a conclusion. You’ll hone your ability to identify
patterns and question evidence––both of which are essential skills for leaders in any industry.
Now that we’ve covered the skills a social science education teaches undergrads,
let's dig into the jobs students land after graduation. There are droves of fields available
to social science majors! We’d be here for hours listing all the transferable skills you gain with
a science science degree. So, for the sake of time, let’s focus on a few exciting career paths:
Political Analyst — If you have an interest in politics, then a career as a political
analyst might be a great fit for you! A political analyst questions evidence,
investigates political systems, and follows political trends to develop new policies
and ideas. Much like you would as a student, in this career you'll spend your days collecting
and analyzing data to make informed predictions about politics, the economy, and social changes.
Economist –– Economists study how goods, services, and resources are produced and
distributed. They do so by conducting surveys and analyzing the results using spreadsheets,
databases and statistical analysis software. Often economists hold graduate degrees,
so you may end up going back to study more social science if you opt to pursue this career.
Oh, and remember those communication skills we mentioned earlier? Well they’ll play a HUGE role
in this job, as you’ll need to present your findings and forecasts in many forms —from
charts and tables to policies and journal articles or books.
Geographer –– In the most basic sense, geographers research the earth
and the cultures that inhabit it. Using those nifty research skills gained in undergrad,
geographers spend their days collecting and assessing geographic data and
visually presenting their findings in presentations and written reports.
There are many specialties and subfields in geography, including human geography, political
geography, and environmental geography—to name a few. Depending on your specialty,
you’ll use technologies such as GIS and GPS to help governments
develop policies and laws, and assist businesses with creating effective strategies and solutions.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist –– I-O Psychologists study human behavior in
the workplace. They often work in corporate environments seeking to solve
workplace problems, such as improving productivity and increasing morale.
As with most social science careers, research drives the decisions and recommendations I-O
Psychologists render. Some of the tasks you’ll oversee in this role include hiring and
training employees, creating company policies, and planning the growth and development of a business.
You’ll use your degree to investigate a variety of topics involving workplace behavior,
such as team effectiveness, employee motivation, occupational stress,
safety risks, and job performance. This is a fantastic field for those who want to use
both the quantitative and qualitative skills social science students develop in undergrad.
We should also note that you’ll likely need a master’s or Ph.D. to get into this field.
Urban Planner –– This is another research-focused career path. Urban planners collect and assess
data, using systems like GIS and statistical software programs to determine a community’s
needs. In this career, you’ll collaborate with land developers and public officials
to make sure community plans meet environmental regulations and zoning codes. Much of your focus
will be on identifying and meeting the needs of a community by creating and
updating facilities –– from schools and parks to residential and commercial property developments.
Social worker — If you’re interested in a meaningful, people-centered profession,
consider a career in social work. In this career, you’ll serve at-risk or underserved individuals,
communities, and organizations by helping those in need access social services.
Based on your specialty, your day-to-day responsibilities will vary. You could
work with clients coping with mental health challenges, behavioral disorders, addiction,
and terminal illnesses. You could also serve families dealing with transitions or students
struggling in school. The career paths for social workers are as diverse as they are rewarding!
Keep in mind that you’ll likely need to attain a Master of Social Work degree.
You will also be required to complete continuing education credits, in order to renew
your state social work license –– so prepare for a lifetime of learning!
And again, these are just a few of the many career paths available to social
science majors. If you’re majoring in one of the social sciences,
leave us a comment and let us know about your aspirations! And as always,
please do subscribe to our channel for all the latest updates about college, test prep,
study tips, and a whole lot more. Thanks so much for watching. See you here next time.